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Edgin working his way through early struggles

7/19/12: Josh Edgin gets Bryce Harper to softly fly out to right field to escapes a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning

By Anthony DiComo and Paul Casella
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- After an encouraging start to the season, reliever Josh Edgin struggled yet again on Tuesday, leaving manager Terry Collins concerned about the young left-hander's confidence.

Edgin, 26, conceded two runs off four hits while recording just one out, marking his fourth straight appearance in which he's allowed at least one run. Though he started the season with four consecutive scoreless outings, he enters play on Wednesday with a 10.80 ERA after allowing nine earned runs in 2 2/3 innings over his last four games.

"You're always worried about a young player's confidence at this level when they're struggling," Collins said. "And to be honest, this is the first time, probably, Josh has really faced down time in his real brief career, where he hasn't been able to get guys out as easy as he has in the past. But you know what? You've got to learn how to rise above it."

A 30th-round Draft pick in 2010, Edgin compiled 75 appearances last season between the Minors and New York. He posted a 1.42 ERA at Double-A Binghamton in just six relief appearances before being promoted to Triple-A Buffalo, where he went 3-2 with a 3.89 ERA in 35 outings. He then pitched 34 games for the Mets, tallying a 4.56 ERA over 25 2/3 innings.

"We were in a situation where Josh got here fast," Collins said. "I'm a true believer in facing challenges and challenging young players. They need to learn how to fail, and they need to learn how to fail in the Minor Leagues, because when they get here, the failure has to be very short.